Cash register



C. W. GREEN CASH REGISTER Oct. 30, 1934.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 51, 1931 INVEN 0R.

0. w REEN CASH REGISTER Oct. 3

Filed Aug. 31, 1931 25 Sheets-Sh eet 2 IIIL I i A TTO NE S.

Oct. 30, 1934.

i-iill I I l l Filed Aug. 51, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.C/zar/ar 1K Gff/Z.

ATTORNE S.

Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNlTED STATES PATENT CASH REGISTER Company,Maryland Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Application August 31, 1931,Serial No. 560,324

12 Claims.

This invention relates to cash registers and like machines andparticularly to adding, transferring and printing devices for saidmachines.

The particular embodiment of the invention herein illustrated is adaptedto be applied to machines of the type disclosed in the patent ofFrederick L. Fuller, No. 1,742,701 issued January '7, 1930, but it is tobe understood that the invention is applicable to machines of verydifferent construction.

The said patent shows two totalizers across one of which, the printingplaten must move to reach the position for printing a total from theother totalizer. In so moving, the platen or associated parts may catchon the totalizer wheels and disturb the setting. It is the object ofthis invention to obviate such possibility by providing means wherebythe totalizer wheels automatically will be locked against rotationduring total printing operations.

Referring to the drawings attached hereto:

Fig. l is a cross sectional view showing the keys and the main actuatingmechanism.

Fig. 2 is a detail View of the printing device normal position.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 4 showing theparts in total printing position.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 44 of Fig. 2, showing the transferactuating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the locking device.

Referring to Fig. 1, the usual keys 10 'are mounted on a shaft 11. Therearward ends 12 of the keys each have an upwardly extending lug 13, theforward face of which is notched at 14 to receive a tongue 15 on theusual key coupler 16. This key coupler is mounted to swing about a shaft17. Its free end rests on the key bars 12 and when the bars are swungupwardly the coupler swings with them. The key coupler carries at oneend a pin 18 which is received in a horizontal slot 19 in a member 20.The member 20 is accordingly reciprocated vertically upon the operationof any key.

The lower end of member 20 is slotted at 21 to receive a guide pin 22fixed on the frame, and its upper end is bifurcated to provide arms 23each of which carries a rack 24. These racks alternately mesh with apinion (not shown) on a shaft 25. This particular mechanism is wellknown and is shown in full in the above mentioned patent. The effect ofthe mechanism thus far described is to produce a full rotation of shaft25 on each operation of any key. The shaft 25 carries earns 26 forsequential operation of the totalizer transfer pawls, as will be morefully described hereafter.

Centrally of the machine is a shaft 100 on which are mounted for freerocking movement certain segmental racks 101. These racks 101 aresuitably secured to certain groups of cam plates 102, there being ablock of these cam plates for each denominational series of keys, ascents, dimes, dollars, etc. The cam, plates of each block aredifferentially slotted as shown at 103 and the slot of each platereceives a pin 10 aiiixed to the end of an arm 105, integral 7 with andextending upward from one of the key levers. This mechanism is wellknown in the art and is fully described in the above mentioned patent.It will be obvious from Fig. 1, that a key 10 be depressed, its arm 105,by the co -action of the pin 104 and the slot 103, will rock the groupof cam plates upwardly to an extent dependent upon the length andinclination of the particular slot 103. This will result in aproportional movement of the segmental rack Si) 101 attached to thegroup of cam plates.

Printing wheels 200 and totalizers 200A and 2003 are arranged on an arcconcentric with shaft 100. The printing Wheels 200 each carry a pinion200, in constant mesh with a segmental 5i; 7 rack 101. As a result, uponthe operation of any key, the printing wheel is appropriately set forprinting a figure corresponding to the key or keys depressed. V

The totalizers are identical and are fully described in the patent to C7W. Green, No. 1,793,- 795 dated February 24, 1931. Only so much of thetotalizer structure will be described as is essential to anunderstanding of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the totalizers 200A and 20013 mounted torock about certain shafts 201 and 202, the shafts being mounted incertain frame members 503 and 504. The following description relatesonly to the upper totalizer 200A, which comprises a series of printingwheels 210 each affixed to a pinion 203,.all co-axially mounted on ashaft 204. The shaft 204 is mounted in a frame 5 207 which frame rocksabout the shaft 201. This rocking movement, as fully set forth in theabove mentioned patent to C. W. Green, serves to bring the pinions ofthe totalizer wheels into mesh with the rack 101 in order to obtain anentry into the totalizer of an amount corresponding to the keydepressed.

Transfers are effected by means of an arm 205 slotted to receive theshaft 201. At its upper end the arm 205 carries a pawl 206 which engagesthe pinion 203 of one of the totalizer wheels. At its lower end, thetransfer arm 205 has a cam slot 208 to receive a pin 209. The pin 209 ismounted on an arm 220, which arm is rockably mounted on the shaft 100.The arm 220 is provided with an upwardly extending lug 221 to which isattached one end of a spring 222. It will be understood that there is anarm 220 and a spring 222 for each transfer pawl. This is clearly shownin Fig. 4.

The arms 220 extend rearwardly of the shaft 105 and at their extremitiescarry follower pins- 223 which engage the cams 26 on shaft 25.

As a key is depressed the segmental racks 101 are moved difierentiallyto set up the amount on the printing wheels 200. The appropriatetotalizer at the same time is rocked into engagement with the racks andreceives an entry of the amount. When the key reaches the bottom of itsdownstroke, item printing occurs, the totalizer is disengaged from theracks, and the cams 26 have been rotated 180 from the position shown inFig. 1. As the keys move up again, the cams complete their rotation,moving seriatim under the pins 223 of the transfer arms 220. The camsraise the rearward ends of the arms, rocking them about the shaft 100,and thus actuating the transfer pawls 205. As each follower pin '23rides over its cam 26, the spring 222 returns the transfer arm to normalposition. I

When it is desired to print a total from either of the totalizers, themechanism described here-- after is employed. Only so much of thismechanism will be described as is essential to an understanding of theinstant invention, and reference is made to the above cited patent toFL. Fuller for further details.

,The printing mechanism, comprising a supply of paper, a receiving reel,feeding means, a printing platen, and the inking ribbon mechanism, isbuilt as a unit so as to be readily detachable. The printer parts arecarried by a frame which is pivotally mounted on the segment shaft 100and can be swung with this shaft as a center so that the printing platenmay overlie the detail printer or the A or B counters, as desired.

The printer comprises side plates 400 and 401 provided with claws 400for engaging over the segment shaft 100. The side plates are connectedby a back bar 402 and by tie rods 403 and 404. Extending transverselybetween the side plates is a platen shaft 406 upon which is supported aplaten 407 by means of two arms 408 and 409 (Figs. 2 and 3). Extendingrearwardly beyond the platen shaft is a platen tail 411 which isactuated by a hammer for forcing the platen against the type.

The paper rolls and paper feed mechanism are carried in a separate framepivoted to the side plate 400 on a stud shaft 415. This frame comprisesa. U-shaped plate 416 which carries a storage roll 41-7 and a supplyroll 418. The paper is fed over suitable rollers 419, 420, 421,

422, 423 and 424, so as to pass over the platen 407. The mechanism forso feeding the paper is fully disclosed in the said patent to F. L.Fuller.

For ordinary item printing, the parts are in ent to F. L. Fuller.

the position of Fig. 2, and the platen is operated by linkage which isactuated by a cam 429 on the shaft 25. This cam also actuates the paperfeed.

A handle 44013 is formed on the side plate 401 for rocking the printerframe about the.

segment shaft 100. When the frame is so rocked,

the platen moves over the printing Wheels 200 and also over thetotalizer 200A and occupies a printing position over the totalizer 200B.The rocking movement of the printer frame is utilized to actuate theplaten, which operates when it is over the totalizer 200B.

A second handle 440A is provided. This handle is formed on a lever 441which is mounted on a horizontal shaft 442 journaled in the side plates400 and 401. The lever is connected to certain platen operatin mechanismdisclosed in the pat- An arm 443 projecting forwardly from the lever 441carries a lug 444 for cooperation. with either of two cam grooves 500 or501 (Fig. 3), formed in the totalizer supporting frame 504.

If the handle 4403 be operated, the lug 444 will enter the groove 500.The groove is eccentric to the shaft 100, hence will move the lever 441and actuate the platen. If, on the other hand, the handle 440A beoperated, the lug 444 will enter the groove 501. This groove is shorterand more eccentric with respect to the shaft 100 than is the uppergroove 500. Hence the platen will be operated sooner in the course ofthe rocking movement of the printer frame and printing will take placewhen the platen is over the upper totalizer 200A.

It will be noted that in total printing operations, the platen must bemoved across the printing surface'of the totalizer wheels. Particularlyis this the case when the total is taken from the lower totalizer 200B.Due to the fact that the usual inking ribbon forms the surface adjacentthe totalizer, there is danger of the ribbon or ribbon guide catching onthe surface of one of the totalizer wheels and disturbing the settingthereof as the platen moves across.

In order to obviate this danger, the following mechanism has beendevised.

A plate 300 (Fig. 5) has upturned ends 301 and 302, through which theshaft 25 passes and is free to rotate.

Above the shaft 25, the right-hand end 301 of the plate is provided withan abrupt cam surface 303, merging into a surface 304 formed on alaterally projecting arm 305. The latter surface (304) is so formed thatwhen rocked to the position of Fig.3, it is concentric with the shaft100..

The other end (302) of the plate is provided, above the shaft 25, with arod 306 extending outwardly and parallel with the shaft 25.

As shown in Fig. 4, the rod 306 lies at the rear of the transfer pawlactuating arms 220. therod 306 be rocked forwardly, it will rock thearms 220. These, in turn, will tilt the transfer arms 205 (Fig. 3) andbring their pawls 206 into engagement with the totalizer pinions 203,locking the latter against rotation.

Mounted on the side plate 400 of the printing frame is a pin 310projecting toward the plate 300 and parallel to the shaft 25. placedthat when the printing frame is in normal position, i. e., for itemprinting operations, it lies just to the rear of the abrupt cam surface303. This allows the rod 306 to remain clear of the arms-220 so as notto interfere with ordi- This pin is so same direction.

nary accumulating and transferring operations. In this position the end302 of the plate 300 rests against a fixed stop 311 secured to thetotalizer supporting frame (Fig. 4).

Upon any rocking movement of the printer frame the pin 310 acts upon theabrupt cam surface 303 to rock the end 301 around the shaft 25. This, ofcourse, rocks the rod 306 in the The rod 306 rocks the arms 220, lockingthe totalizer wheels as previously described. When locked, the parts arein the position shown in Fig. 3.

The portion of the arm 220 against which the rod 306 acts is best shownin Fig. 1. In normal position, the rod 306 is adjacent an inclinedsurface 220 on the arm 220. As the parts rock from the position of Fig.1 to that of Fig. 3," the rod 306 rides from the surface 220 to asurface 220", which, when the arm 220 is in locked position, isconcentric with the shaft 25.

It will be noted that the force exerted by the surface 220' against therod 306 is along a line passing above the shaft 25, while the surface-220 is shaped so that its force against the rod 305 will be along aline passing through the center of shaft 25. As a result, when the shaft306 engages in the surface 220", the force just mentioned has notendency to rotate the rod When the printing frame is rocked back tonormal position, the shaft 442 engages an arm 312 on the end 301 of theplate 300 and positively returns the rod 306 to normal position. It willbe noted that regardless of which totalizer is to be engaged with theplaten, the amplitude of movement of the rod 305 is the same. The camsurface 303 is, therefore, made only of suificient extent to produce thedesired movement. The remainder of the movement of the pin 310, whichmovement is necessarily on an arc concentric with the shaft 100, takesplace over the concentric surface 304. of the arm 305 without furthermoving the plate 300. This coacting of the 310 with the concentricsurface 304 serves to prevent any release of the totalizers during thereturn movement of the printer frame until the platen has moved clear ofboth totalizers.

The form of mechanism herein described is well adapted to fulfill theobjects stated, but, it is to be understood that it is intended toconfine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown, sinceit may be embodied in various forms, all coming within the scope of theclaims which follow.

What is claimed is:

A cash register having a plurality of sets of adjustable type; a platenfor co-action with either set; means for producing relative motionbetween sets of type and said platen for selection of a desired set; andmeans for looking said sets against disturbance of their adjustmentsduring such movement.

2. A cash register having a plurality of sets of adjustable type; aplaten for co-action with either set; means for producing relativemotion between sets of type and said platen for selection of a desiredset; and means actuated by such relative movement for locking said setsof type disturbance of their adjustments.

3. A cash register ha 'ing a plurality of totalizers; printing meansselectively movable to print from any of said. totalizers; and meansoperated by the selecting movement of said printing means for lockingsaid totalizers against disturbance of their settings.

4. A cash register having a plurality of ali ned totalizers on parallelshafts; printing means mounted to move transversely of said shafts forselective positioning over any desired totalizer; means for locking saidtotalizers against movement relative to said shafts, and means carriedby said printing means for actuating said looking means upon selectingmovement of said printing means.

5. A cash register having a plurality of arcuately arranged totalizerseach comprising a series of printing Wheels; a platen movable in asimilar are for selective positioning over any desired totalizer, thepath of the platen being tangential to the totalizer wheels; and meansoperated by selecting movement of the platen for locking the totalizerWheels against rotation.

6. A cash register having a plurality of arouately arranged totalizerson parallel shafts; transfer pawls for said totalizers; common actuatingmeans for the transfer pawls of each denomination of the severaltotalizers; a frame mounted to swing concentrically of said totalizers;a platen carried by said frame and swingable therewith to printingposition over any of the totalizers; a bar adapted to move the actuatingmeans for the transfer pawls so as to press the transfer pawls intolocking engage ment with the totalizers; and means carried by said framefor actuating said bar upon swinging movement of said frame.

7. A cash register having a plurality of totalizers each comprising aseries of printing wheels; transfer means between the wheels of eachtotalizer; a plurality of actuating levers for the transfer means, amember common to all of said actuating levers and adapted to move theminto a position bringing the transfer means into looking engagement withthe totalizer wheels; a platen movable tangentially across saidtotalizer wheels for selective positioning over any desired totalizer;means connected to said platen for moving said member upon movement ofsaid 120 platen.

8. A cash register having item printing wheels and a plurality oftotalizers; each totalizer comprising a series of printing wheels; aplaten normally positioned over 9 said item printing wheels; means formoving said platen tangentially of said totalizer wheels for selectivepositioning over any desired totalizer; means whereby movement of saidplaten away from said item printing wheels locks said totalizer wheelsagainst rotation; and means whereby the return of said platen over saidprinting wheels positively releases said totalizer wheels,

9. In a register, a totalizer, transfer mechanism therein including acarrying pawl and an operating means for the pawl, and a lockingmechanism for the totalizer, the said locking mechanism arranged toactuate the operating means for the transfer pawl.

10. In a register, a totalizer, transfer mechanism therein, and alocking mechanism for the totalizer, the transfer and locking mechanismshaving certain parts in common and capable of different movements, oneof said movements causing the parts to assist in transferring, and theother of said movements causing the parts to assist in looking.

11. In a register, totalizer wheels, means to print the amountregistered thereon, transfer mechanism to advance the wheels a stepduring 150 adding operations, locking mechanism acting on the transfermechanism to lock the wheels against advancement during printingoperations, and. separate driving means to obtain each of said 5operations.

12. In a register, printing elements, a pivoted platen adapted to beswung over the printing

